Railway tie and rail clamp



July 23, 1940. J. M. c. BRYANT RAILWAY TIEV AND RAIL CLAMP Filed July 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet linnn 15in!) Ju'ly23, 1940. J.M. QBRYANr 2,209,188 4 RAILWAY TIE AND RAIL CLAMP r Filed July 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .Z9 2" 2-9 FTW f Y Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED STATES ia'lEl'l` OFFICI?.

' 2,209,188 I if RAILWAY TIE AND aan. CLAMP John M. C. Bryant, Hopkins, Minn.

Application July 24, 1939, Serial No. 286,107

13 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in metallic railway ties and rail clamps, and has for its object to provide a metallic railway tie that is relatively light in weight, strong, durable, and Le'asy to put in place and assemble. This invention further provides a rail clamp that is relatively simple and positive in its action and easy to apply to a tie and rail. A further object of the invention is to provide a rail clamp that will 'automatically take up wear and thereby always securely hold a rail on a tie and cooperating pairs of these clamps will hold a pair of rails from spreading and will also hold the tie against endwise movement relative to the rails.

"'Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings:

To the above end, generally stated, the invention consists of the novel devices and combina- .tions of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, like characters indicate lik parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in plan showing a pair of track rails resting on the improved railway tie and secured thereto by means of a pair of my improved rail clamps;

.gg-Fig. 2 is a view partly in transverse section and partly in elevation with tie removed;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the tie as shown in Fig. 3, with the rail clamps removed and the sections of the tie segregated;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail View in section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2, on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view corresponding to the left hand end portion of the tie rail, shown in Fig. 2, but showing a modification of the tie;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the parts shown in Fig. 6 with the exception, that the cover section of the tie is removed; some parts are shown in different positions by means of broken lines;

Fig. 8 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail View partly in plan and partly in section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7, on an enlarged scale;

the cover section of the (Cl. 23S-359) Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail viewpartly in plan` and partly in section on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. ll is a fragmentary detail view partly in elevation and'partly in section taken on the line Il-IIofFig.9;and .,M

Fig. l2 is a fragmentary view of one of the end plates showing the spring cap seat therein.

Referring first tothe improved metallic tie` I3, shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, which is holm :el

lowvand comprises a pair of substantially duplicate sections I4 and I5. These sections I 4 and I5 are horizontally spaced and detachably connected by upper and lower interlockingjoints I6. Each tie section I4 and I5 is vfolded from two-ply sheet steel and for the sake of convenience the sections I4 and I5 will hereinafter be referred to as body and cover sections respectively.

A pair of track rails I'I rest on the tie I3 and are secured thereto by a pair of my improved clamps as will hereinafter appear. Y

The tie i3, under each rail I'I, is internally .reinforced by a sleeve-like member I8 comprising sections I9 and 20' connected by upper and lower interlocking joints` 2|. Each reinforcing section I9 and 20 is made up of two-ply sheet steel folded Vinternally* onto the respective tie sections Hand The several plies of each tie section I4 and I5 and its reinforcing section I9 and 20 are rigidly 3o and permanently connected by spot welding or otherwise. 1

A flanged end plate 22 is seated against each end of each reinforcing member I8. Obviously each reinforcing'member I8 and its end plates "-35 22 affordl a housing 23 for the respective rail The tie sections Ill-I5. are detachably connected, at the vreinforcing members I8, by a pair of nut-equipped headed bolts 24 which extend through aligned holes in the sides of said` sections and reinforcing members.

Referring now to the hollow metallic railway tie 25, shown in Figs.,6, '7 and 8, which also comprises two horizontally spaced sections 26 and 2l, connected by separable upper and lower inter# locking joints 28. Each tie section 26 and 27 is folded from a single sheet of steel andthe sections 26 and 2'I will also be hereinafter referred to as body and cover sections. These tie sections 25 and 21 are detachably connected by a 'plurality of nut-equippedvheaded bolts 29 which extend through aligned holes in the sides of said l sections. i

A pair of track rails3ll rest on the tie 25-and areY cfr.

secured thereto by thev improved clamps. The

' l tie 25, oneach side of each rail 30, is internally reinforced by arlanged plate 3| which extends transversely through said` tie. The reinforcing plates 3| are `rigidly, and permanently secured to the` body section 26 of the tie 25 by spot Welding orv otherwise.V Acompartment 32 isformed in the tie 25, under each rail 30, by the respective pairs of reinforcing plates 3|-` The vclampsf33 used in connection vwith the two ties I3 and 25' are identical the one with the other and hence'the description of the one will sufce for the other.

Referring to the clampl 33, shown inV Figs. 6

to 12 inclusive, .the same includes 'a pair of vertically disposedC-jaws in opposing relation. The

.jaws 34 are `'mounted in the compartment 32 and pivotally connected at 35 for opening and closing movements. The free end portionsof the jaws 34 extend outwardly of the tie 25 through vnotches 36in the .top` members 2eof 4the sections 26 and' 21 and transversely overlap :the flanges v of the rail 3D, one on each. side of the webof cranks-'1 38.1"extend horizontally 'away from each other and ahorizontally-disposed connecting rod 40 is .pivoted thereto at its inner'endu The outer 'endl portionsiof the .connecting rods 40 loosely extend lthrough".y apertures .in the! reinforcing AV nuttacting. spring cap 4I has screw -threaded engagement nwith eachv connectingv rod4, out- Wardly of thev respective plate-3I.- Said springpap/'4I vhas .a relatively-long cylindrical body 42,

the inner end portionof whichis wedge shaped,-

inAayerticalpl'anek as indicated `at 43 and mounted .v on an openseat 44 in the respective plate 3|.

Formedin the seat=44 are a pair of diametricaloppositenotches 45,'into which theend 43 of theibody42 extends and holds the-spring cap'iiI fromgtu'rningon the lconnecting rod` 40. #Thev bolts 47 extend through aligned holes in the sides of tlieztie I3 and assist -thefbolt's 24 in holdingtlf-iesections of said tie ini assembled-relation. I

`A'flat'spiral spring-46 encirclingthev body 42 of each spring cap 4I, is compressed between saidl springoapand the respectivev-'plate.3|.

'Ihecpmpressed springs "46,' "a'cting vthrough the connecticut-43,538 and 31, are underjstrain kto yi'eldinglyshold the 'jawsf34, pressedldwnwardly l 46 mayfbevariedatwill. The novel construction on the flanges lland thereby hold said rails pressed downwardly onto the tie 25.' 1

The-wedge shaped-ends 43 of the bodies 42 are villecitomove in the seats 44 l and; permit swinging movement. of thelconnectingirods a vertical f plane.

As zwear takesfplacel between therails. 3|) and l pair of pivotally Aconnected rail-engaging jaws, each jaw having a crank arm, a pair ofbell cranksv pivoted at their elbows-tothe crank armsfmeans for pivotally connecting-one of the arms fof- `each bell crank to ai railwayr tie and supporting ther kjaws-ioriloating movement, apair of connecting ,f rods pivotally attached at oneof their (ends to the otherarmsfof the bellcranks and projecting in opposite..directionsl therefrom, and spring -means for connecting said rods at their other end 2 to move the jawsv tothe vtie 25; between. said rails and the jaws-'34 vand vhe'tvveenfthe several vparts of* the clamps 33, said y slack-is'automaticallytitaken up by thetensioned springs146. sBy adjusting the spring caps'4! on the 4connecting rods4ll, the tensioni of the `springs off; the-springs 46 te" in 'placing theme 2 5, undrerheraus an, the.'

body-section 25, thereof, vfwith-theclampsf33 assembled therein rand with the tension of .thew` springs ,4,5 released, isfrstfplacedunder `said rails v and the jaws 34 positioned on the flanges of the rails 3,0. Next the nut-action spring caps 4| are adjusted on the connecting rods 4I] tov compress the springs 46 to substantially their full limit.

vFinally the tie cover section 2'I is placed under the rails 3U and secured to the body section 26 by the bolts 29.

Referring again to the invention, shown in Figs. i to 5 inclusive, the bell-cranks 38 are secured to 'thegtie sections I4 and I5 :by -nutequipped bolts 4l.' The jaws 34 work in notches 48 in the tie sectionsIl and I5, and the connecting `rods 43 extend throughV apertures in the end plates 22. e

When the above described invention is used in connection withan electric line, one of the rails Il is insulated from the tie I3 as shown in Figs.

Y l and-2. 4ing a platelg between the tie I3 and one of the This insulation is accomplished by placrails ,I7 and which plate, together with the jaws 34 Aof the respective clamp 33, aremade'of fibre or anyother suitable insulating material.

From the above description, it is evident that `the tensioned springs rlE-,'=.through the connec-v tions 46, v3&2, and 3i, tightly press the rails on to `the tie and at no time permits vertical or hori- Zontal movements ofk the rails relative to the tie.A

cessive wear.

kThe-'springs 46 also automatically take up Wearv ,as the same takes place, and'hence, prevents eX- The interlocking engagement'of .30

thebodies-42 lof the 'nut-acting spring caps 4I, at 43, 44, and 45,.securely hold said caps Yfrom turning on the connecting rods under jarring action, produced on' the railsfby car'wheels turning thereon. k l f. y f e It is highly importantto note that'thebacks of` the jaws 34 'of each'clampc33 arealwaysinf direct contactzwith the :tie I4 or 25 'at the-bottoms of the notchesv36 or 43.. actsas a basew-of resistance for 4the 4jaws 34 of from spreading and V:the tie .from 1 endwise mover Vment relative to the rails. y As the-jaws 34 of each clamp 33 automatically movetoward each other,

in taking up wear, thegjchanging'angularity oftheir backs keeps saidv jaws lin contact-withthe tie. l f

It willbe understoodwtliat the invention de- Obviously the tie I4 'or' 25 l 40 each pair and thereby positivelyvholds the rails "1 v scribed yis capable of'various modifications within the scope .of the claimed. f 4r f.

What I claim is: v v 1. A device' of theilkind describedV comprising inventionherein disclosed and of keach bell crank to a railwaytie and'slipportl' ing .thefjawsfor floating movement, and spring 'means'for connecting theother armsof the bell` crank to the tie and understrain to move the jaws towardeach otheni; f

2. A device of thekind'described comprisinga to the -tie *and under strain Ward each other.

3. A device of the kind described comprising a pair of pivotally connected rail-engaging jaws, each jaw having a crank arm, a pair of bell cranks pivoted at their elbows to the crank arms, means for pivotally connecting one of the arms of each bell crank to a railway tie and supporting the jaws for oating movement, a pair of connecting rods pivotally attached at one of their ends to the other arms of the bell cranks and projecting in opposite directions therefrom, and spring means encircling the rods and adapted to be compressed between abutments on the other end of said rods and relatively fixed parts on the tie through which said rods project, said spring means being under strain to move the jaws toward each other.

4. The combination with reinforced members adapted to be mounted in a hollow railway tie, of a rail clamp comprising a pair of pivotally connected rail-engaging jaws, each jaw having a crank arm, a bell crank pivoted at its elbow to each crank arm, means for pivotally connecting one of the arms of each bell crank to a railway tie and supporting the jaws for floating movement, a pair of connecting rods pivotally attached at one of their ends to the other arms of the bell cranks and projecting in opposite directions therefrom, and a spring encircling the rods and compressed between abutments on the other ends of said rods and said reinforcing members, said rods projecting through said reinforcing members.

5. A device of the kind described comprising a reinforcing sleeve adapted to be mounted in a hollow railway tie, and an `end member seated against each end of the reinforcing sleeve, a rail clamp in the reinforcing sleeve and comprising a pair of pivotally connected C-shaped jaws in opposing relation, a crank arm on the pivotedend of each jaw, a bell crank pivoted at its elbow to each crank arm, one of the arms of each bell crank being pivoted relative to the reinforcing sleeve, a pair of connecting rods pivotally attached at one of their ends to the other arms of the bell cranks and projecting in opposite directions therefrom and through apertures in the end members, and flat spiral springs encircling the connecting rods outwardly of the end members and compressed between abutments on said rods and the end members, said springs being under strain to move the jaws toward each other.

6. A device of the kind described comprising a pair of members adapted to be mounted in a hollow railway tie and spaced longitudinally thereof, a rail clamp between said members and comprising a pair of pivotally connected rail engaging jaws, each having a crank arm, a bell crank pivoted at its elbow to each crank arm, one of the arms of each bell crank having means for pivotally holding the same relative to the tie, a pair of connecting rods extending through apertures in said members and pivotally attached at their inner ends to one of the arms of the bell crank, nut-acting spring caps having screw threaded engagement with the outer end portions of the connecting rods, said spring caps having relatively long bodies, said bodies having separable interlocking engagement with said members and'thereby holding the spring caps from turning on the connecting rods and springs encircling said bodies and compressed between the spring caps and said members, said springs being under strain to move the jaws toward each other.

'7. The combination with a tie and a rail having a web and base flanges projecting from opposite sides thereof and resting on the tie, of a rail clamp comprising a pair of jaws engaging the upper faces of the flanges, said jaws being pivotally connected for floating movement in the plane thereof and relative to the tie,'and yieldthe tie, and automatic means for moving said jaws toward each other, said jaws having contact with the tie as a base of resistance for holding the rail against lateral movement on the tie and for holding the tieA against endwise movement relative to the rail, said clamp being resiliently secured to the .tie by means under strain to close the jaws.

9. A hollow railway tie, a clamp mounted in the tie and including a pair of rail engaging C- jaws in opposing relation, said `jaws being pivotally connected lfor floating movement in the plane thereof and relative to the tie, the backs of said jaws having direct contact with the tie as a base of resistanceI for holding the rail against lateral movement on the tie and for holding the tie against endwise movement relative to the rail, said clamp being resiliently secured to the tie by means under strain to close the jaws.

l0. The combination with a tie and a rail having a web and base flanges projecting from opposite sides thereof and resting on the tie, of a rail clamp comprising a pair of pivotally `connected jaws engaging the upper faces of .the flanges, a pair of toggle-joints in opposing relation and pivotally connecting the jaws to the tie for floating movement, one of the members of each toggle-joint being rigidly secured to the respective jaw, and spring means connected to the tie and under strain to buckle the toggle-joints and move the jaws toward the web of the rail and also to pull the same downwardly onto the flanges of the rail.

il. The structure defined in claim 10in which the toggle joints support the jaws for turning movement in the plane thereof and about the` axis of the pivot connecting said toggle joints tothe tie.

l2. The combination with a tie and a rail having a web and base flanges projecting from opposite sides thereof and resting on the rail, of a rail clamp comprising a pair of pivotally connected C-shaped jaws in opposing relation, the free end portions of the jaws engaging the upper faces of the flanges, a pair of toggle-joints in opposing relation and pivotally connectingl the jaws at their pivoted ends to the tie for floating movement, one of the members of veach togglejoint being rigidly secured to the respective jaw, and spring means connected to the tie and under strain to buckle the toggle-joints and pivotally move the free end portions of the jaws toward each other and the web and also pull the same downwardly to the flanges of the rail.

13. The structure defined in claim 12 in which thespring means also holds the jaws with their inner intermediate portion pressed against the longitudinal edges of the flanges and the rail clamped therebetween. i

JOHN M. C. BRYANT. 

